Liquid dispenser



July 24, 1962 v. v. MARCH! 3,045,876

LIQUID DISPENSER Filed Jan. 11, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.-

INVENTOR. VITO V. MARCHI wlL$oN,LEw\s McRA-e ATTORNEYS July 24, 1962 v. v. MARCHI 3,045,876

LIQUID DISPENSER Filed Jan. 11, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.2

as 58 M as INVENTOR. N VITO v. MARCH! W L i \N\L$0N,LEW\$$MEAE lOO ATTORNEYS United States Fatent @tiice 3,945,876 Patented July 24, 1962 3,045,876 LIQUID DISPENSER Vito V. Marchi, Redwood City, Calif., assignor to American Radiator & Standard Sanitary Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 11, 1%8, Ser. No. 1,480 7 Claims. (Cl. 222 336) This invention relates to liquid dispensers, and particularly to dispensers which can be employed for the dispensing of liquid additives into the tubs of conventional domestic washing machines.

The art of washing machines has progressed continually toward a more complete automation character. Thus, the early Washing machines were almost completely manually-operated affairs, with the housewife being required to be present throughout the washing operation for performing such tasks as wringing out the clothes, rinsing the clothes, and adding various soaps, bleaches and other additives during the progress of the washing operation. In order to relieve the housewife of this troublesome task there have been developed various automatic washing machines which handle the clothes automatically from the initial introduction of wash water through the steps of washing, rinsing and spin drying. Some machines have also incorporated mechanisms for heat-drying the clothes after the spin drying operation.

In spite of the advances made in the washing machine field the housewife in many cases has been required to periodically attend the washing machine for such operations as adding detergents, bleach, or other additives during dififerent peroids of the washing machine cycle. There have been developed some dispensers for automatically introducing the various additives into the washing machines at the correct points in the operational cycle. However, in general these dispensers have been relatively high cost devices and have in many cases required design changes in the Washing machines. Also, they have in many cases not incorporated the desired features of easy loading, accuracy of metering, and ability to handle high viscosity liquids.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a dispenser structure which is of a relatively low cost character and which can be employed to accurately dispense additives at predetermined times in the washing machine cycle.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a dispenser structure which can be easily set or adjusted by the housewife at initiation of the Washing cycle.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a dispenser which can be electrically controlled, thereby adapting the dispenser for use with the usual control systems employed in conventional washing machines.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a liquid dispenser which avoids the use of small ports, orifices or other small flow passages for the liquid additives, it being realized that some of the conventional additives are relatively thick viscous materials which tend to clog such small passages.

A further object of the invention is to provide a disenser construction wherein the amount of material dispensed may be accurately controlled and varied in accord- M108 with different washing conditions.

A further object is to provide a dispenser wherein llitierent preselected quantities of liquid additive may be dispensed.

An additional object is to provide a dispenser wherein the component parts thereof may be disposed in different portions of a washing machine housing so as to enable the dispenser to be utilized in available locations in differcut makes and models of washing machines without substantial redesign of each machine.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

in the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional view through the upper rear portion of a washing machine having one embodiment of the invention mounted therein;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 2 in FiG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a power-operated valve unit employed in the FIG. 1 embodiment; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view on line 44 in FIG. 2.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

In the drawings there is disclosed a washing machine housing including a rear panel 10 leading downwardly from the'splashback portion 12. The front wall 14 of the splashback portion is preferably provided with a slot 16 therein for accommodating movement of the manually actuable lever 18, said lever serving as a selector of the quantity of liquid detergent to be pumped from the additive reservoir Ztl into the conventional washing machine tub 21. The means for pumping the liquid additive is indicated generally by reference numeral 22.

Referring to FIG. 2 it will be noted that the pumping means 22 comprises a cylinder-like casing defined by a first casing section 24 and a second casing section 26, said casing sections having the mating flange portions 28 and 30 for receiving securing bolts (not shown) so as to form a fluid-tight joint. Interposed between flange portions 28 and St) is the edge portion 32 of a bellofrarn type seal 34 formed of rubber, fabric or other flexible material. The central portion of seal 34 is engaged with the end wall 36 of a piston-like plunger 38.

Plunger 38 is urged upwardly by a relatively light spring so as to normally abut against a stop shoulder formed by ring 37 which is carried on casing section 24. Positioned within piston 38 is a relatively stilf compression spring 40 which serves to normally urge the disc 41 upwardly to its FIG. 2 position abutting against the stop shoulder formed by ring 43. As will be apparent hereinafter, disc 41 functions as a vertically movable thrust means for determining the stroke of piston 38. Disc 41 is provided with a spherical depression for operatively seating the lower end of a link 46. The upper end portion of link 46 is provided with a vertical slot 50 (FIG. 1) for accommodating the central portion of lever 18. The lever is pivotally mounted within the washing machine casing by means of a pin 52, and link 46 is pivotally connected with the lever by means of a pin 54.

The central portion of lever 18 rides against a vertically shiftable cam bar 53 (FIGS. 1 and 4) which has its lower end suitably secured to wall 36 of plunger 38. Disc 41 is provided with a suitable clearance hole therethrough to permit movement of the bar independently of the disc, and vice versa.

In order to operatively maintain bar 53 in engagement with lever 18 there is provided a fixed guide strip 55 having its upper end suitably secured to the top wall 57 of the splashback portion 12 as shown in FIG. 1. The guide strip may be suitably mounted at its lower end by utilizing a fixed cross piece 59 or similar rigid brace construction.

In operation of the device manual pressure on the thumb piece 56 is effective to depress lever 18 downwardly about the pivot pin 52 so as to force the link 46 and disc 41 in a downward direction within the pump casing section 24. During this downward movement the plunger 38 maintains its illustrated position within casing 24 even though spring is lighter than spring this action is obtained because at the time of depression of lever 18 the pump chamber 53 is sealed from the atmosphere and from other apparatus by a valve structure to be described hereinafter. The sealing of chamber 58 is such that the air trapped therein acts as a substantially fixed column opposing downward movement of plunger 38; the disc 41 is however enabled to be moved downwardly by lever 18 so as to compress the heavy spring 40. When the chamber 58 is later opened to reservoir 20 (by the valve structure) the force of spring 40 is effective to move plunger 38 downwardly for developing a pumping pressure on the reservoir liquid.

The pumping pressure is utilized to pump the liquid additive from reservoir 20 into the washing machine tub 21. However, the conventional washing machine cycle is such that it is usually not desired to dispense the liquid additive into the tub at the time of initiation of the wash ing machine cycle. Thus, the thumb piece 56 may be actuated at the beginning of the wash cycle but it is desired to dispense the additive from reservoir 20 at a later time in the wash cycle. In order to provide a suitable time of dispensing there is employed the electrically-controlled power means indicated generally by numeral 60.

The operation of power means 60 is such that when it is energized it opens the air line 84 extending between pump chamber 58 and reservoir 20 so as to permit the air pump pressure to be applied to liquid 86 for pumping said liquid into tub 121 via conduit 88. In the illustrated embodiment energization of power means 6i) is accomplished through the medium of an electric switch 61 having the contacts 63 and 65. The arrangement is such that rotation of the conventional timer driven cam 67 is effective to cause its lobe 69 to strike the switch actuator at a predetermined time in the wash-rinse cycle and thereby cause energization of power means 60 for effecting the dispensing operation. Power means 60 may vary as to design but as shown it comprises a solenoid 62 having an armature 64. The armature carries a rectangular frame 66 open at both ends so as to permit the flexible vent tube 68 to pass therethrough as shown in FIG. 1. For illustration purposes the vent tube is broken away to illustrate its relation to the frame 66, but it will be appreciated that the tube is continuous from its point of connection 67 with reservoir 20 to its point of discharge at 69 (FIG. 3) into the atmosphere.

It will be noted that the portion of tube 68 within frame 66 seats on a fixed support wall 74 formed as a part of bracket structure 76. Bracket structure 76 includes a mounting web portion 77 and a pair of substantially parallel flanges 74 and 78. As shown in FIG. 1, flange 74 is provided with a slot 80 to receive a portion of frame 66, the arrangement being such that frame 66 is enabled to be moved downwardly from its FIG. 1 position when solenoid 62 is energized. A compression spring 82 may be provided for urging the frame 66 upwardly to its illustrated position upon de-energization of solenoid 62.

It will be noted from FIGS. 1 and 2 that flexible tube 84 is extended from the lower portion of casing section 26 through the space between frame 66 and bracket flange 78. In the illustrated position of frame 66 a portion of tube 84 is squeezed between the frame and bracket flange 78 so as to close the tube against air flow. It will be seen that tube 84 extends upwardly from frame 66 to a discharge point 83 within reservoir 20; as a result when solenoid 62 is energized frame 66 carries the lower wall area of tube 84 downwardly so as to open said tube and thereby put chamber 53 (FIG. 2) in communication with reservoir 2t). If desired the outer surfaces of tubes 84 and 68 may be adhesively secured to the adjacent portions of frame 63 and bracket to retain the tubes in desired operating positions.

it will be appreciated that conduits 68 and 84 are adapted to be opened during alternate periods, i.e., conduit 6% is only opened when conduit 84 is closed, and conduit 34 is only opened when conduit 63 is closed. By this arrangement, when solenoid 62 is de-energized (FIG. 1 position) chamber 58 is sealed against the escape of air to the atmosphere or through tube 34. When solenoid 62 is energized (at the appropriate point in the wash cycle) conduit 68 is automatically closed and conduit 84 is automatically opened, the action being such that the pressure of the air in chamber 53 is transmitted through conduit to the space above the additive liquid 86. The air pressure is effective on liquid 86 to force a predetermined quantity of liquid upwardly in tube 88 and then into the tub 21.

As previously noted, the air pressure in chamber 58 is developed by depression of lever 18 (which causes the spring 46 to be compressed as above described). The arrangement is such that a relatively slight depression of lever 18 gives a relatively low air pressure in chamber 58,

with a correspondingly small quantity of liquid 86 being dispensed into the tub during solenoid energization. By depressing lever 18 downwardly to a greater extent the air in chamber 58 is subsequently given a greater pressure, and accordingly a greater quantity of liquid 86 is pumped into the tub 21.

As seen in FIG. 2 the control panel 14 of the machine may be provided with indicia corresponding to the different quantities of liquid additive to be dispensed. The values shown in FIG. 2 are of course illustrative and will vary depending on the type of additive, concentration thereof, and the type of load handled by the machine.

In the illustrated embodiment lever 18 works against the force of compression springs 35 and 40. Preferably therefore means are provided for holding the lever in any of its selected positions. As illustrated the holding means takes the form of a plurality of notches 90 formed at spaced points along the slot 16. Thus, the user may depress lever 18 to the desired extent and then shift the lever slightly laterally to enable it to seat in the correct one of the notches for preventing any dislodgement of the lever between the time of its actuation (beginning of the wash cycle) and energization of solenoid 62.

It will be appreciated that the illustrated device is adapted for dispensing any desired liquid, as for example liquid detergents, liquid bleach, or liquid rinse additive. The reservoir 26 for each liquid additive may be removably disposed within the washing machine to enable it to be withdrawn for refilling purposes. However, as shown in FIG. 1 each reservoir may be permanently mounted within the machine and have an access opening 92 for refilling purposes. Of course the atmosphere above liquid 86 must be sealed from the ambient at the time of dispensing, and accordingly a closure 94 is provided for normally closing the opening 92. Preferably closure 94 should be mounted by means of a "spring hinge as at 96 so as to maintain a tight seal with the reservoir structure 20.

While the drawings illustrate only one dispenser, it will V be appreciated -that each washing machine might be provided with two or more similar dispensers for handling different liquid additives. Each dispenser is preferably provided with an air inlet 100 for its pump chamber 58, together with a check valve in the form of a light rubber disc 192, the arrangement being such that on the upstroke of plunger 38 to the zero position a suction force is created for drawing air into chamber 58 through inlet 100. During energization of solenoid 62 disc 102v prevents any escape of air to the ambient. On subsequent de-enen aoaaeve gization of the solenoid the pressure condition above liquid 86 is exhausted through conduit 68.

The complete sequence of operational steps begins with depression of lever 18 to be engaged in a selected one of the notches 90. At this time chamber 58 is sealed, and depression of lever 18 moves disc 41 downwardly in plunger 38 so as to compress spring 40. Nothing further happens until cam lobe 69 closes switch 61 (at the desired time in the cycle), when solenoid 62 is energized to open chamber 58 to reservoir 20; the spring 40 is then enabled to drive plunger 38 downwardly so as to develop an increased pressure on the liquid in reservoir 20 for pumping some of it into tub 21.

As plunger 38 is driven downwardly it carries bar 53 downwardly so that the cam surface 59 on the bar (FIG. 2) engages lever 18 and forces it out of the notch 90. The spring then returns plunger 36 and bar 53 to the FIG. 2 position, and spring 40 returns disc 41 and lever 18 to the FIG. 2 position. By this action the device is automatically conditioned for the next cycle of operation (i.e., lever 18 and the other components are reset to the zero positions).

It should be noted that the illustrated apparatus requires the housewife to manually set the volume selector lever 18 to the desired dispensing volume position; otherwise no liquid will be dispensed. This is a safety feature which guards against inadvertent dispensing of too much liquid during a particular wash cycle. The danger is of particular importance when the dispenser is handling liquid bleach which could have disastrous eifects if applied onto a Wash load containing dark clothes.

Whatever type of liquid is being handled, the arrangement of parts is such that the viscous, sometimes corrosive liquids 86 are not required to be pumped through small passages or for substantial distances; hence the apparatus is particularly susceptible to low cost manufacture with a comparatively long service life.

While the drawings show specific structural arrangements, particularly as regard the arrangement of lever 18 and pump housing 22, yet it will be appreciated that various modifications may be resorted to without departing from the invention. In this connection, it will be seen that lever 18 could be interconnected with disc 41 by other means than the specific link 46; for example a flexible cable type linkage could be employed. Also, the specific formation of power unit 60 could be varied considerably without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A liquid dispenser comprising a liquid reservoir having an outlet for dispensing liquids, and an inlet for admitting gas pressure to the liquid to develop a pumping pressure thereon; a gas pump for supplying gas at superatmospheric pressure to the reservoir to dispense liquid therefrom; conduit means between the pump and reservoir inlet for applying the pump pressure to the reservoir liquid; and means including a valve in said conduit means for controlling the time of application of the gas pressure to the liquid in the reservoir so as to control the time of liquid dispensing; said gas pump including a movable pumping wall, a manually settable thrust means, and a lost motion spring means between the pumping wall and thrust means whereby (1) when the valve is closed movement of the thrust means is effective to load the spring means without movement of the pumping wall, and (2) when the valve is opened the loaded spring means drives the pumping wall on a pumping stroke,

2. A liquid dispenser comprising a liquid reservoir; an air pump to supply air at superatmospheric pressure to the reservoir to dispense liquid therefrom; conduit means connecting the air pump with the liquid reservoir; said pump including a piston and a cylinder in which the piston is displaceable; a manually movable thrust means; a lost motion spring means arranged between the piston and the thrust means; and a valve interposed between the pump and the reservoir; said thrust means being settable at a plurality of predetermined positions so that when the valve is closed the spring means will be loaded by move ment of the thrust means to thus provide a source of power for operating the piston on a pumping stroke upon subsequent opening of the valve.

3. A liquid dispenser comprising a liquid reservoir having an outlet for dispensing liquids, an inlet to the dispenser for admitting gas pressure to the liquid to develop a pumping pressure thereon; a gas pump including a reciprocating thrust means having a stroke for selecting the gas displacement of the pump; means for locking the thrust means in selected positions to determine the volume of liquid to be discharged from the reservoir; means automatically operative after the pumping operation to disengage the thrust means from the lock means; conduit means between the pump and reservoir inlet for applying the pump pressure to the reserpoir liquid; and means including a timer-operated Valve between the pump and reservoir for controlling the time of application of the gas pressure to the liquid in the reservoir so as to control the time of liquid dispensing.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the disengaging means comprises a cam working against the thrust means durin the pumping stroke.

5. The combination of claim 3 and further comprising a manually-adjustable operator engageable with the thrust means for determining the stroke of the thrust means to thereby determine the amount of liquid dispensed from the reservoir.

6. The combination of claim 5 and further comprising a control panel having an elongated slot therein; said manually-adjustable operator comprising a lever extending through said slot and having a portion thereof manually accessible for operating the lever to different positions along the slot corresponding to different thrust means strokes.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said slot defines a series of spaced notches adapted to removably lock the lever in its different adjusted positions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 263,080 Walker Aug. 22, 1882 560,225 Mills May 19, 1896 656,418 OConnor Aug. 21, 1900 960,081 Fearon May 31, 1910 1,352,270 Jefierson Sept. 7, 1920 1,476,946 Bessesen Dec. 11, 1923 1,513,177 Martin Oct. 28, 1924 2,083,965 Schulz June 15, 1937 2,312,067 Bates Feb. 23, 1943 2,491,259 Funderburg Dec. 13, 1949 2,805,798 Sampson Sept. 10, 1957 2,948,437 Nielsen Aug. 9, 1960 

